davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
FIRE AND DROUGHT.
People Driven from Their Houses In
the Southwest.

KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Nov. 23.-Special ad-
vices from Indian Territory and Southern
Kansas received here today indicate that a
terrible state of affairs exists throughout
that section of the country consequent on
the long-continued drought and prairie fires.
For the last seven months people living in
a section 200 miles square have been praying
for rain. In all directions from White can
be seen glare of prairie fires which are
sweeping everything before them. The sun
has been obscured for days by dense smoke.
At Red Fork an area of 40 square miles has
burned, destroying millions of tons of hay
and many agricultural implements, several
hundred of cattle and two ranches.
In the Oklahoma district and along the
southern border of Kansas fires have been
raging for days and the inhabitants are
leaving by hundreds. In Oklahoma the In
dians are setting fire to. spots which have
escaped the flames in order to drive out the
white settlers. 1t is impossible to give an
estimate of the loss, but it will reach into
millions. All wells and rivers are drying up
and the people are beginning to leave for
other parts. u
ports of forest and prairie fires come from
all directions except the north, and give
accounts of great destTuction of property.
The bottom lands of the Ottawa and Big
Muddy rivers in Southwestern Illinois and
the prairies in many parts of the same sec
fences, farming machinery. standing crops
and whole forests, and in some cases resi-
dences. have been destroyed. In Southern
Missouri and Kansas between the Iron
Mountain Railway, and the Mississippi
river, swamps and lowlands have been al
most burned out, and the whole country is
filled with smoke. As far west as the Hot
Springs fires have devastated farms, burned
residences, farms and fences, and the town
Of Mayfiower, in franklin county, barely
escaped total destruction. On the east side
county, Miss, 10 cotton gins, besides much
other valuable property, have been de-
strOyed.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
BARNUM's FIRE.
The Losses and What the Veteran
Says Of His Affairs.

NEW YORK, Nov. 23-It has been definite
ly ascertained that the first estimates of the
losses in the fire at Barnum's winter quar-
ters were excessive and far above what they
really are. Itn0w turns o1t that but half a
dozen horses were burned. 1t has been the
inyariable custom to send all the horses to
Pine Plains, N. Y, and places other than
Bridgeport for the winter months, and so
none of this valuable stock except the six
draught horses mentioned was at Bridgeport
when the fire took place, The Trakene stall
lions, costing $4,000, were, consequently,
not burned, as at first stated. The total
losses, however, will foot up, Mr.. Barnum
says, Z east S400.000. The elephants were
value. t $4,000, the building at $4,000, the
wild beasts at $4,000, the hay-eating ami
mails, most of which were saved, at $4,000.
The seats, tents and costumes had value of
$4,000, so that the losses will probably reach
close on 100000.
Since the disaster MIR. Barnum has received
by every mail vast number of letters. most
Of which are from children, and they have
been received from points as far as Chicago
and ST. Louis and Quebec and Portland, all
expressing sympathy and good wishes.
The Board of Trade Of Trenton, through
the President, telegraphed Messrs. Barnum
d Bailey to make their winter quarters there,
offering cheap land, transportation and low
taxes. AS the show expends over $3.50, 900
every winter in supplies it would be great
advantage to any town to have it settle there.
Mr.. Barnum declares that the children of
this and future generations shall be delighted
and instructed by the greatest show on earth,
and that he and his partner, Mr.. j. A. Bailey
are the only men living who have the cash,
the pluck, the experience, and the undying
ambition to organize and sustain mammoth
travelling show the expenses of which ex-
ceed $4,000 day. and that now they will
have an extirely new show Of such proper
finnC
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
LIVELY IN ATLANTA.
The Fight Over Prohibition Becoming
Very Warm.

ATLANTA, Ca, Nov. 22.-The election in
this city on the question of adopting for
another two years the law prohibiting the
sale of liquor will take place on Saturday,
when over 11,OC0 votes will be cast The
campaign, as it stands, is singular and de-
plorable. There is total suspension of bus
mess, and merchants as well as employees
stand in groups on the street corners, wildly
gesticulating over the merits of the question.
Nearly every business firm in the city Is
about equally divided. The women are
thoroughly stirred up and walk the streets
with blue badges on their breasts. In fact,
the women are tonight the centre of the
fight, having declared their purpose of hav-
ing lunch stands at the different polls, where
white ladies will wait upon negro men who
will vote the Prohibition ticket. The old
people shake their head at this innovation,
but a prominent colored man says of it: 81
see in it the greatest danger. White ladies
are inviting this familiarity, and yet II one
Of our young men. emboldened by this invi-
day, he would stand mighty good chance
Of getting lynched."
Last night young gentleman, escorting
two young ladies home from the theatre,
happened to remark that he was wet" AT
once they dropped his arm, dismissed him,
and went home by themselves. This social
ostracism is so pronounced that its effects
will be felt long after prohibition shall have
become a dead issue. Both parties have
parades every night this week. On Friday
night each party has announced monster
meetings, which will probably last all night,
SO that the voters may attack the polls early.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
THE OLDEST CANAL.
AWork Suggested by william Penn
and Begun by David Rittenhouse.

The Union canal, which was the first ca
nal projected ON the American continent,
having been suggested by William Penn in
1890, and its route surveyed seventy years
later, before there was a canal in operation
even In England, is to be sold. The route
Of this canal was surveyed by David Ritten-
tenhouse, the astronomer, and DR.. William
Smith, provost of the University of Penn
sylvania, in 1762. 1t extended from the
Schuylkill river. near Reading, to the Sus-
quehanna, at the present site Of Middle
town, Dauphin county. 1t was the first link
in proposed chain of water communication
between the Delaware river and Lake Erie,
a project so gigantic for that early day, when
canels and even turnpikes were unknown,
that the projectors were believed by the peo-
pie to be crazy.
Rittenhouse planned a system of inclined
planes to overcome the Allegheny Noun
tains, plan which was adopted seyenty-fve
years later by the State in its old Portage
Railroad.
The Revolutionary war interrupted work
on the pioneer canal, and in l791 Robert
Morris, Robert Fulton. and Tench Francis
became interested in it. Tho work was too
far in advance Of the times, however, and IL
was not completed until 1927 The canal Is
eighty-nine miles In length. and some OF the
greatest engineering work Of that day was
necessary in its construction. The first tun-
mel in the United States was bored for this
canal through nearly 800 feet Of solid rock,
and the summit Of the canal being higher
than its terminal feeder q pumping appar-
atus had to be constructed to raise the water
to the necessary height. The canal cost
$5,00O,000. Railway transportation having
few years ago 1t was abandoned, and 1t is
now offered for sale.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
PHILApELPHIA's LEPERs.
Careless Or. Van Harrington and His
Responsibility In the Case.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Nov. 23.-Mrs. Nier-
posed leper sent to the pest house in Phila-
delphia, and Mrs. Beard, next door neigh
Dor. called at the health Office Monday to see
the health officer and learn for certain II her
sister and her niece had been sent out to the
institutions. Their visit created good deal
of excitement in the office. Upon being
questioned as to her relationship with the
patients Mrs. Nierson said in a frightened
tone: MRS. Mirande is my sister. She and
her daughter came to my house about nine
teen months ago; and since that time l have
slept in the bed with Mrs. Mirande. was
entirely ignorant of her disease and am now
very much exercised for fear it might be
contagious"
Ibid you ever endeavor to ascertain what
aileo your sister?"
''Yes, have. 1 not only asked her what
she was being treated for, but l also visited
DR.. Van Harrington, and he positively refused
to tell me-"
II would also like TO know" said the
frightened woman, .'if DR.. Van Harlingen is
not responsible for his conduct"
He most certainly is" replied the health
officer. ut Is the duty of every physician to
report all pestilential diseases to the health
authorities"
MAY visit the hospital?" pleaded the
women, ''to see my sister"
mo, madam, you cannot. While they are
In our charge no one can see them. When
we make up our minds as to what we shall
do with the poor unfortunate beings we may
possibly let you KNOW" said the health otti-
Ger.
81 think it was high handed outrage"
said Health Officer Patterson, after she had
taken her departure, "for these lepers to be
compelled to land from the steamer at New
port News. If they had been taken back to
Brazil the matter would have been ended. /
cannot say what action will be taken by the
health authorities"
"Do you think that you will be able to find
steamer that will take them back to Bra
zil?"
II hope so. If we do not we will have to
send them to one Of the settlements for lep-
ers, either in Louisiana or Canada. AS |
said before 1 do not know what action the
Board of Health will take at jts meeting to-
morrow"
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
RAILWAY MATTERS.
CUTTING RATES.


A meeting Of trunk line presidents in Com
missioner Fink's Office, New York, Tuesday,
ratified cut in freight rates to the seaboards
to meet that of the Grand Trunk. Beginning
yesterday. the rates will be as follows
Dressed beef, 52l cents per 100 pounds; hogs,
4S5 cents per 100 pounds; cattle. 2S5 cents
per 100 pounds; sheep, 325 cents per 100
pounds. For ordinary freight cars running
on lines other than those which own them,
or hired, the rates shall be one-half cent per
mile run Gnstead of three-quarters cent per
mile as formerly, and 10 cents per day for
every day on the road to prevent delay in
return. For special cars the rates will be
three-quarters cent per mile instead of one
cent. as formerly. Mr.. Hickson of Canada
was the only trunk line president absent
from the meeting. He made known his po-
sition, however, by letter to Commissioner
Fink. He said that the Grand Trunk desired
to cooperate with the Trunk Line Associa-
dicing its rights and interests. At last week 5
meeting of the standing committee of the
Joint Executive Committee of the Eastern
and Western roads the Commissioner was
authorized to meet not only the Grand Trunk 5
cut ON dressed meats, but its differential rate
on export freight by way Of Boston, which
was made tive to three cents per 100 pounds
lower than the regular trunk line tariff Mr..
Hickson told Mr.. Fink that the Grand Trunk
was willing to accept the reduction made by
trunk lines in Boston export rates. but he in
sists on a favorable difference by way of
Portland. On the subject of dressed beef
traffic, Mr.. Hickson declares that his road
cannot recede from its present position, and
will require differential rate In its favor.
The freight agents of the Chicago east
bound lines met Tuesday morning and cut
down their tariffs ON dressed beef hogs and
sheep to correspond with the reductions
made on Monday by the Chicago and Grand
Trunk The latter road late Tuesday after
noon got out new tariff, making still fur
ther reduction to Boston and New England
points of 81 cents a hundred, the rates in re-
frigerator cars now being AZ cents and in
common 43 cents. This is e totalreductionof
16 cents since the war started. The compet-
ing American roads met the new rates yes
terday.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
BURNED OUT.
Hon. Clark n. Barker's Residence at
Abilene Destroyed by Fire.

The Abilene, Kansas, Gazette says that
Friday morning, about ten o'clock. the fami-
ly of Hon. Clark II. Barker discovered
smoke issuing from the basement Of the ele-
CANT Boardman residence on Grand avenue,
into which they had moved but few days
previously. The furnace had not been used
for three days, and 1t is supposed that ashes
from the CRATE fire fell through into the base
ment, igniting pile Of rubbish. An efsrt
was made to extinguish the flames, but
proved useless, and an alarm was sounded.
When the department reached the scene, the
flames, famed by the strong wind that was
blowing, were under full headway, and, al
though the fire laddies worked hard TO save
the building. they could accomplish but lit
tie, and nothing bit pile Of smoking ruins
lay on the spot where, but short time
before, stood one Of the finest residences
In the city.
In the house was all of Mr. Of Mr.. Board
mans furniture and Miss Grace Johnson's
wardrobe. A small amount Of furniture was
saved, not over 500 worth.
Mr.. Barker and his family lost all Of their
personal effects, which were valued more
Tor the associations connected with them
than their intrinsic worth. A large quantity
Of silverware was also consumed. A small
amount was saved.
Mr.. Barker estimates his loss at about
$1,000. Nothing was insured. His furniture
Is still on the road from Portland.
The residence was the property Of F. FL.
BoaIdman. who some time ago moved to
Newburyport, Mass. 1t was built in 1885 by
Kruger & Thompson, the architecture being
after the Swiss style, the designs Of which
were furnished by firm of architects in
Lynn, Mass. 1t was worth at least SS,00os
and was insured for just half that amount,
$1,000 in the Kansas Farmers, Of this city,
and $1,000 in the Northwest National Of Mil
waukee. The furniture was worth $1,000,
and was insured for $1,000 in the German, Of
Freeport, Ill.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
Maine Hotel People In Florida.


d. ii. Swan left Waterville for Hotel
Punta Gorda, Trabue, Fla, last week. He
took twenty-five Maine people with him and
expects to have about thirty more by the last
of December. The hotel is one of the finest
in the South, at the termination Of the Flor
ida Southern Railroad, and the most SOUTH
erly hotel in the United States. and the help
win be from the North, mostly from the
State of Maine. Hiram Hunt, of Portland
who has been clerk at the West End. Bar
Harbor, for two years, and o. p. Mosley, Of
Lewiston, will be the clerks. Mr.. +. NJ.
Black, Of Jackson, N: H., who has been
steward at Mt. Kineo for four years, will act
in the same capacity at Hotel Punta Gorda,
and his wife. who has been housekeeper at
Mt Kineo for the same length Of time, will
fill the same position there. Mr.. Black takes
the same cooks and several of the table and
chamber girls that he has had at the above
house. The hotel will be open to receive
guests the first Of December. The Morgan
steamers run twice week from Punta Gorda
to Havana. touching at New Orleans and
Kew West
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
the STATE.
kEsNEBEc COUNTY.

1t is a settled fact that Hallowell Is to be
lighted with electricity. A company has
been formed the principal men Of which are
Messrs. Beane. Church, Clary, Tenney and
Winter. Mr.. Church departed Monday
morning for Vermont, where he will negOti-
ate for the poles, and as soon as word is re-
ceived that they have been purchased men
will be set to work digging the holes. Power
will be furnished at the wire mill on the
Vaughan brook. where a six hundred light
machine will be set up. The pure incandes-
cent system will be used at present. Water,
Second and Middle streets, and the streets
leading to them will be poled.
The Kennebec County Pomona Grange
will meet with Pittston Grange, on Wednes-
day, December 7th. The programme has
not yet been announced, but will probably
be about as follows, viz: Forenoon session,
work In the fifth degree; afternoon open to
the public, principal topic for discussion,
Associated Dairying," on which subject a
paper will be read by l.. X. Litchfeld, Esq,
Of Winthrop. The usual "Children's meet
ing" will be held in the evening, which Is al
soDpen to invited guests outside Of the or
der.
A cooking school is to be formed in Gardi-
ner, modelled on the plan Of the Hemenway
schools in Boston. The committee having it
in charge are Mrs. Henry Richards, Mrs.
Henry Harrington, Miss Clara Robinson,
and Mrs. ID. c. Palmer. The Pupils are to
a manner as to make 1t at once nourishing
and palatable. Moreover they are trained to
habits of neatness and thrift, and are given
a knowledge of the cost and value Of differ
ent articles of food.
PIscATAQUIs COUNTY.
Mr.. William p. Appleyard Of Guilford,
will next spring rebuild his w0oleu mills at
Guilford, which were burned last spring.
He is one of the most extensive woolen man
ufacturers in the State. and his new mill
will be Of enlarged size to accommodate his
business which Is very large.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
n. B. Mutt, ESQ.,. is filling the position OF
treasurer Of the Eastp0rt Savings Bank,
made vacant by the resignation Of his son,
N. b. Mutt, Jr.
The schooner Leonice of Rockland, was
towed into Jonesport harbor a few days ago
by the government steamer. She was In
charge of the cook, who claimed that the
captain absconded with about $500 Of the
vessels money, and he, the cook, undertook
to bring her TO Rockland with the above re-
suit.
A wild cat, which for some time past has
been prowling in the woods near Harring-
ton, was captured in trap by G. Il. Fish
Monday night. The varmint was unusually
large and belligerent.
YORK COUNTY.
Enoch Roberts, Waterboro farmer, fel
on Main street in Biddeford yesterday, and
broke his hip,
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
RACE CONFLICT.
The Striking Negroes In Louisiana
Fire on the White Guard.

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 23.-The striking
sugar hands at Thibodeaux this morning
fired upon the white pickets guarding the
place. The fire was returned, and brisk
battle ensued. Twenty-Five negroes are said
to have been killed and two white men
wounded. Additional troops will probably
sent.
picket guard was fired upon this morning by
the strikers and two men were wounded. An
attack was Immediately made on the negroes
and 10 or IL were killed. The rest of the
strikers left for the woods.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
SUBURBAN NEWS.
SCARBORO.

sCARB0R0.
Mr.. Howard Scammon and family started
for Kansas City last Monday, where they
will take up their abode.
The clam packing shop at Pine Point Is
now running, with Mr.. w. II. Proctor as
manager.
Nonesuch lodge, X. of p, Oak Hill, is now
comforting the ranks on four or five candi-
dates. The lodge at present is well attended
and prospering.
A public temperance meeting will be held
in the Good Templar's hall at Dunstan's Cor
ner next Sunday evening. Mr.. ). 5. knight
and others will address the meeting.
The members Of the M. +. church are hold
ing interesting and profitable sociabes every
Wednesday evening. One week from next
Wednesday, chicken supper" will be Civ
en- In the hall.
Stephen Sewell lodge. |. o. G.. T., was
never prospering better than at present.
New members are joining every evening.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
GENERAL NEWS.

Harry E. Gettys, of New Hope, Pa, shot
and killed Charles Kitchin Of the same place
yesterday.
William III. Dorsey, colored. was arrested
in New York yesterday, for the robbery Of
$4,000 worth of diamonds from Banker Nor
gan's house Saturday night. Several Of the
gems were found in his pockets
BY order of court, the receivers Of the
Philadelphia q Reading railroad, the Phila-
delphia d Reading Coal and Iron Company.
the New Jersey Central railroad and the
Buffalo, New York q Philadelphia railroad
have been discharged.
Russian adviees in London state that two
Russian steamers collided off the Crimean
coast yesterday and thirty five seamen were
drowned.
The body of Marcus Wasser, a steerage
passenger Of the w. A. Scholten, was yes
terday recovered off Dover.
The German steamer Leander struck the
wreck of the Scholten, Tuesday evening,
and was towed to Dover in a sinking condi-
ton.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
JE, THURSDAY MORNING NOVEMBER "a, 1897

come. He has run through all the money
which he brought with him two years ago
and has reached the limit Of his credit, and
he is now in absolute want. The proprietors
of the Russell House succeeded In getting
him out of that place two months ago, and
he went to the Griswold, cheaper house.
He never paid any money, and last
night he was turned out bodily with his son.
During all his voluntary exile in Detroit, he
has never intimated why he acted so strange
ly, except that his enemies were dogging
him. Who these enemies are he has never in
dicated. For months he has done nothing but
eat, smoke and walk, with little sleep. He
is a vigorous eater and sits down to the ta-
BILE as many as six times in day. The ex-
Senator is a wreck mentally.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
WAKEFIELD TO THE coNsTAsLEs.
The Mayor Of Bath Promises the New
Officers His Official Aid.
Especial to the Press. ]


BATH, Nov. 23.-Mayor Wakefield pub
fishes the following letter in this evenings
Bath Daily Times:
CITY OF BATH, MAYORS OFFICE
November %, 1887. I
TO Solomon S. Holmes, John B. Carver and asa
Gentiemen:~fhe bitter contest that for more
than two years has been waged over the appoint
ment Of State constables for this county has end
ed in your nomination for the honorable and
and has been prolonged solely upon the issue Of
the official honesty and integrity OF one Of the
candidates That issue Is now settled. Your
nomination viii convince every good citizen that
Governor Bodwell has acted with sound wisdom
and good judgement In making his selection and
Is conclusive proof that he is loyal and steadfast
In his devotion to the best and truest principles
of temperance. That yeur unanimous confirm
alton will follow does not admit of doubt From
the domain of politics. from the arena OF personal
warfare, this whole question has been removed 70
the fair field of practicable temperance, where II
solution. No longer will the senseless cry OF
"Bailey or nobody be Of service to prQfessed
temperance men in their efforts to deceive the
public and grand opportunity now offers to prove
that the necessity never existed for exating dis
honest men TO position Of such power and re-
prove the Governors selection for know you
will command the confidence and respect Of the
entire public, and beg to assure you that If
you will accept the position rendered you, you
shall. in the discharge OF your duty, have every
moral and legal support can render you In my
official capacity, and the hearty, Jealous and
earnest cooperation of the entire police force OF
our city,.
Very respectfully,
JAS. w. WAKEFIELD Mayor.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-24
A Hermit No Longer.
CMachias Republican,

Capt. Joshua Whitney, at one time prom
inent citizen Of Jonesboro. has for nearly
twenty years lived what might be termed a
hermit life, having in a measure secluded
himself from society, preferring to live alone
in camp a short distance from town, rather
than to enjoy the company of friends. This
singular freak is said to be due to the death
of his wife, to whom he was dev0tedly at
tached. Capt. Whitney. has held various
town offices, and was twice elected to the
Legislature. During his career he has been
engaged in business ON the st. Croix, and
has made two trips to California, where he
was fairly successful at mining. At the age
of 81 the old man seems TO have tired Of this
mode of living, and has recently vacated his
camp for a more desirable habitation with
relatives in Calais